Warehouse #1 John Crow Edition DOK is a rum distilled at Hampden Estate in Jamaica.
In a way, this rum is a nod to John Crow Batty, the smuggled rum that gave rise to the "overproof" rums we know today.
Just-produced rums were stolen from distilleries, then blended and resold "under the table" at a time when the vast majority of Jamaican rum was produced for export.
"John Crow" is also the name given to the vultures that fly over the Jamaican skies in search of carrion. This vulture is featured on this bottle from bottler Warehouse #1.
Here we have a traditional molasses rum distilled in an iron still at 63° proof. The mark chosen for this edition is DOK (Dermot Owen Kelly), with the highest ester content of any Hampden. With 1600 grams of esters per hectoliter of pure alcohol, its aromatic power is impressive.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, this extreme expression of the Hampden distillery doesn't immediately reveal its secrets. The exotic fruits are still on stand-by at this stage, giving way to red and black fruits frozen by a layer of varnish.
Aeration lifts the veil a little more, and the white rum takes on surprising notes that might come from barrel aging. A hint of spice seems to fall back onto the glass, and it's almost as if we're discovering wood-patinated cane juice. The acidity and concentration of the very ripe exotic fruits begin to rumble and take on thickness, but they remain quite restrained, making this rum much more complex and pleasing than one might have imagined.
The palate offers a certain sweetness and the sensation of an oily rum. Exotic fruits with soft, velvety flesh unfold, full of flavor, very ripe, but without the acidity that is sometimes associated with them in this kind of situation. The slight coppery edge is also taken up by a lovely roundness, evoking a creamy texture of black cherries, raisins and citrus zest.
The finish merrily continues this gourmet, pastry-like experience, endlessly lingering on kernel liqueur and pine sap.
"A lovely interpretation of a rum that's not so easy to tame..."
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.